Hello! My name is Sarai Montano, and I am a third-year student at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities. I designed my own degree with concentrations in Developmental Psychology, Psychology, and Family Social Science, and I also have a minor in Integrative Neuroscience.
I grew up in a small town in Minnesota called Lester Prairie. My parents immigrated to the United States, and as a first-generation college student, I have always dreamed of exploring the world and continuing my education in new places. Coming from a small town without much diversity, I was excited to challenge myself by moving to a larger university and eventually choosing to study abroad.
This fall, I am living in Madrid, Spain through my university’s Psychology and Research program. Here, I am able to take classes like Cross-Cultural Psychology and Introduction to Biopsychology while also gaining hands-on experience at a psychology center through research. It is exciting to see how Spain approaches therapy and counseling, and to connect what I learn in the classroom to real-world practice.
Outside of school, I enjoy exploring the beautiful streets of Madrid, trying new foods (my favorite so far is churros con chocolate), and learning about Spanish culture. I am excited to share my experiences with you!
Want to know more about how you can study or intern abroad when you are a college student? The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program is a program of the U.S. Department of State with funding provided by the U.S. Government and supported in its implementation by the Institute of International Education (IIE). Learn more about the scholarship by clicking here!
